Greater Hart-Sheldon

Imagine a place where more than 350 species of wildlife, from stately bighorn sheep to tiny pygmy rabbits, are found in an abundance you’d expect in remote Alaska or Yellowstone. This is the Greater Hart-Sheldon—an expansive region of critically important public lands connected by two of the largest wildlife refuges in the lower 48 states: Hart Mountain National Antelope Refuge in southeastern Oregon and the Sheldon National Wildlife Refuge in northern Nevada.

Both the Sheldon and Hart Mountain refuges were initially established in the 1930s to protect pronghorn and the vast lands that support the species. Today, the refuges continue to provide important habitat for pronghorn and a wide array of wildlife.

There’s no shortage of sweeping views from the Greater Hart-Sheldon’s mountain tops, peaks and ridges. Below, the region’s rolling hills, valleys and canyons are endlessly intriguing. As one of the largest intact swaths of sagebrush steppe remaining in the West, the Greater Hart-Sheldon is home to several million acres of uninterrupted sagebrush habitat supporting an array of native flora and fauna and a rich human history.

Where Wildlife Roam

With one of the nation’s most essential wildlife migration corridors, the public lands of the Greater Hart-Sheldon provide vital habitat for the region’s compelling wildlife. This landscape is renowned as a place where one can spot pronghorn, California bighorn sheep, mule deer, elk, redband trout, hundreds of species of birds and more. Perhaps most notably, the Greater Hart-Sheldon is recognized as one of the six most critical areas in North America for the long-term survival of the imperiled greater sage-grouse. Pronghorn, the fastest land mammal in North America, migrate across this region and thrive in high concentrations here.

A Cultural Repository

The traditional homelands of the Northern Paiute, the Greater Hart-Sheldon preserves one of the richest cultural records in North America due to the number and age of sites known to have been utilized by people for thousands of years. Archeologists have documented some of the oldest known evidence of human habitation in North America here, dating back to 14,000 B.C.

Ancient rock art, or petroglyphs, are often found among the region’s large boulders and rock gardens. This visual history is a precious reminder of the people who have inhabited this landscape and relied on its resources for thousands of years.

Peaks and Plateaus

While sagebrush steppe dominates the region, there’s much more to the Greater Hart-Sheldon. Wetlands and plains sweep across the valley while geological wonders rise from its floor. Deep canyons and waterfalls are carved in the flanks of Hart Mountain and Warner Peak. Beatys Butte, Mahogany Butte and Abert Rim offer grand vistas. And Lake Abert—Oregon’s only hypersaline lake—can cover some 65 square miles in a wet year and is critical migratory bird habitat. From the area’s rims, peaks, wetlands and plateaus, there’s much to see and do in the dramatic and diverse Greater Hart-Sheldon.

Impressively Dark Skies

The world’s largest dark sky sanctuary, the Oregon Outback International Dark Sky Sanctuary, is located across 2.5 million acres in this region. One of only 16 International Dark Sky Sanctuaries, this designation recognizes the area’s pristinely clear skies and aims to protect wildlife and allow for unparalleled stargazing experiences.

Oregon Natural Desert Association works closely with land managers and communities to conserve and promote the region’s essential wildlife habitat, wilderness values and ecosystem health. ONDA advocates for improved management and strengthened protections to preserve the natural and cultural values of the area.

Expansive Wildland and Wildlife Protections

ONDA secured protection for more than 1,153,000 acres of public land in the Greater Hart-Sheldon and one of the nation’s most essential wildlife migration corridors, while strengthening protections for greater sage-grouse and other wildlife across millions of additional acres.

• Securing Historic Wildlands and Wildlife Protections in the Greater Hart-Sheldon
• Protecting the Greater Sage-grouse
• Court Orders BLM to Preserve Science Research Areas for Sage-grouse

Bolstering Habitat Connectivity

For decades, ONDA has improved wildlife habitat in the Greater Hart-Sheldon by securing the area against damaging development and land use. Alongside volunteers and partners, ONDA also removed 300 miles of fencing that impeded pronghorn and other wildlife from roaming freely across this landscape. Most recently, ONDA has designed and launched a research project that will help land managers improve habitat by better understanding the restoration of burned sagebrush grasslands in the absence of livestock grazing.